This year I volunteered for Crisis at Christmas with the intention to teach yoga and meditation, but I ended up playing more football. When the activity leader asked me to play footie I laughed and said I would be happy to be a cheerleader... but he wouldn't take no for an answer. "The thing is," I heard myself saying, "I seriously have never played football before." He just smiled and said, "It will be fun. Remember, it's not for us, it's about them." So, I went to my car and dug out my hiking shoes and joined my first ever 5-a-side game. I was the only woman playing and there were some rather volatile characters on the pitch. But my presence seemed to have a calming influence on the guys and I actually surprised myself. Turns out that I'm quite the tackler and striker. And I will never forget how it felt to score my first goal. The support I felt from the guys was amazing. I had stepped out of my comfort zone and the result was unforgettable. It reminded me of what Eleanor Roosevelt apparently once said,
